Project MRX350

[PW@Woodsport]

A bit more progress today, ECU mounted, i need to trim the brackets a little but it's nice and secure, the air vent behind that will be blocked off.



Battery relocation to the frunk, i'm using a type 055 battery, nice and compact with enough juice to crank a 2gr. I made a stand for it and a clamp....



I made a strut brace for the front out of a MK2 one, all i had to do was remake the strut top brackets, i'm also using a Mk3 spacesaver spare wheel.







Bar some tidying and cleaning up that is the front end pretty much done, the keener eyed among you will notice i've redone the spare wheel framework to bolt to the new battery tray and look OEM.

[PW@Woodsport]

I finished the clocks, calibrated the tacho and boxed it all up.... really happy with this, ignore the blur on the digital readouts, they are pin sharp, just camera glare...



In the engine bay, i've fitted a sealed oil catch tank between front bank and plenum, it's dressing the engine bay and performing a function.





Going to give her a little blat up the yard tomorrow, well overdue.

[stenky]

me wants that dashboard

[PW@Woodsport]

I really have too much money tied up in that dash, in excess of £400, but this Mk1 is all about the best i can buy for it to create my ultimate Mk1.

It's so nice having an actual set of readings.

[synXero]

Is the 2GR ECU OBDII spec?

[PW@Woodsport]

It is indeed, i have the OBD2 port wired up on mine, lets me stream all the live data i want into the JP701, it's communicating via CAN rather than Serial input.

[synXero]

I have mine set up broadcasting to my iPhone haha, soon to be pumped into my new headunit a-la GTR interior digital gauges


Just making sure for when I finally have my 2GR

[PW@Woodsport]

I also have an OBD2 Apexi Imoni unit which is good for dashboard feedback but sadly it only works with serial data input and won't handle Canbus.

[PW@Woodsport]

Drove her today for the first time, no video yet, kinda hard to do that and drive at the same time so i'll wait until someone is around for that.

The power delivery is immense, a huge relentless wave of torque from 1500 all the way to the redline, it basically pins you to the seat and keeps you there.

It tries to break the rear end away even in 3rd gear, these engines just have so much torque it's crazy, it's a very naughty car indeed and going to take some getting used to.... but i absolutely love the insane amount of power it has on tap in any gear at any RPM.

All i can say is a 2gr motor in a Mk1 is just nuts.

Video coming soon.

[synXero]

How different is it to the SW20 2GR?

[PW@Woodsport]

Being around 300kgs lighter makes a world of difference, the Mk2 feels more planted, and the longer wheelbase definitely helps with the sideways moments. The trick with the Mk1 2gr is getting the power down, it just wants to light the rear up without any effort.... you can donut this car on a sixpence with light throttle.

[synXero]

It must be an absolute hoot

Do you think the chassis design of the MK1, or indeed the MK2, is actually up to the task of distributing 2GR power?

[PW@Woodsport]

I think the chassis are ok, it all comes down to suspension and tyre choice, ARB choice becomes more critical and LSD is an absolute must have. I have 245 tyres on the rear, pretty much as wide as i can go, and it still breaks traction rolling at 30mph in 2nd gear.

Some stills from todays fun...





Looking forward to getting the SC engine lid and rear spoiler fitted now.

[PW@Woodsport]

During testing i've noticed my digital fuel gauge is reacting badly to fuel sloshing in the tank, so i have bought an electronic anti slosh device that will calibrate and stabilize the fuel reading perfectly.

[Red Wedge]

Bit off topic but can I ask roughly how much just having this engine install would be for a customer?

[PW@Woodsport]

Currently the only 3 2gr Mk1s that exist in the UK have been built by me, this being one of them, the other two cost around £10k each to build, £6k of that is parts.

Not a cheap build by any means, but there is nothing you can buy on the market that will compete for that money, pocket supercar levels of performance.

[PW@Woodsport]

Custom sideskirts now fitted, i've done these in an OEM style so they wrap around the wider arches and look as factory as possible, which has been the brief on this build from Day 1, OEM modified, if there is such a thing!

Anyway the skirts have been trimmed with my double glazing seal mod which looks and works better than the original stuff...

[tonigmr2]

I think I tried to buy that number plate a few years ago, strange to see it still floating around! Looking good Paul.

[kherseth]

This car belongs on a pornsite!!! It`s beautiful from bumper to bumper.

I`m not sure, but if it was possible to continue the skirt sealing around the arches, i think that would be a really cool look. Need to play a bit in photoshop ^^

[PW@Woodsport]

Thanks guys, it really is coming together now.

Toni the reg was on a Mini before, i paid £500 for it about 2 years ago, i'm not really a fan of personal plates but i did like this one.